Music

Australia Council for the Arts supports composers, musicians and organisations to create new music and present it to audiences. Our goal is to reflect and promote the diversity, excellence and energy of contemporary Australian musical culture.

This page provides important information for artists in the Australian music scene, such as reports on recent successful grant applications, upcoming industry events and current research relating to the music sector.

Our goal is to reflect and promote the diversity, excellence and energy of contemporary Australian musical culture.

Liza Lim (VIC) - Australia Council Don Banks Music Award

Lisa Lim has been described as one of the leading composers of her generation. Born in Australia to Chinese parents and educated in Australia and Brunei, Liza’s work draws from diverse cultural influences, including Asian ritual culture and the aesthetics of Indigenous Art.

Her music has been performed by some of the best ensembles and orchestras and featured at festivals throughout the world.

She is currently Professor of Composition at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where she leads the Composing Women program.

The Australia Council Don Banks Music Award honours a distinguished artist aged over 50 who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to music in Australia. It is named in honour of Don Banks, acclaimed Australian composer, performer and the first Chair of the Music Board.

Highlights

The 2016-17 Australia Council for the Arts Annual Report was tabled on 23 October 2017. The report outlines key achievements and outcomes during the second full year of activity under its Strategic Plan A Culturally Ambitious Nation.

The Australia Council for the Arts has released new research which examines the economic conditions faced by practising professional artists in Australia and their increasing value to society and the future of work.

The third in a landmark series by the Australia Council for the Arts, following editions in 2009 and 2013. It measures Australians’ engagement with the arts in 2016 – attending arts events, exhibitions and festivals; reading; listening to music; sharing and connecting with the arts online; and creating art themselves.

2017 Featured Grants

If you are an individual artist, arts worker or group of artists, this grant can provide support to further develop your skills or improve your capacity to build an enduring career. Grants are available from $5,000 to $25,000.

The Australia Council offers three grant rounds each year for this category.

In 2018, the grant rounds will close on:

Tuesday 6 February for projects starting after 1 May 2018. This grant round has now closed.

Tuesday 5 June for projects starting after 1 September 2018

Tuesday 2 October for projects starting 1 January 2019

Each round closes at midnight on the closing date. Technical and administrative support will not be available after 5pm on the closing date.

This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences. Only organisations are eligible to apply. Grants are available from $10,000 to $100,000.

The Australia Council offers three grant rounds each year for this category.

In 2018, the grant rounds will close on:

Tuesday 6 February for projects starting after 1 May 2018. This grant round has now closed.

Tuesday 5 June for projects starting after 1 September 2018

Tuesday 2 October for projects starting 1 January 2019

Each round closes at midnight on the closing date. Technical and administrative support will not be available after 5pm on the closing date.

This program supports performing arts to reach regional and remote communities across Australia. Grants are available to support the net touring costs associated with a national tour. There is no limit on the amount that can be requested. The Australia Council offers three grant rounds each year for Playing Australia.

The Australia Council offers three grant rounds each year for this category.

In 2018, the grant rounds will close on:

Tuesday 6 February for projects starting after 1 May 2018.This grant round has now closed.

Tuesday 5 June for projects starting after 1 September 2018

Tuesday 2 October for projects starting 1 January 2019

Each round closes at midnight on the closing date. Technical and administrative support will not be available after 5pm on the closing date.

The Contemporary Music Touring Program supports national touring activity undertaken by Australian musicians performing original contemporary music. It provides support of up to $15,000 for tours in Australia that include performances in regional and remote areas. Up to an additional $15,000 can be requested for remote and very remote touring. The Australia Council offers two grant rounds each year for the Contemporary Music Touring Program.

In 2018, the grant rounds will close on:

Tuesday 6 February for projects starting after 1 May 2018. This grant round has now closed.

Tuesday 2 October for projects starting 1 January 2019

Each round closes at midnight on the closing date. Technical and administrative support will not be available after 5pm on the closing date.

Applications for this program will close at midnight on Tuesday 6 February 2018.

Technical and administrative support will not be available after 5pm on the closing date. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application approximately 12 weeks after the closing date.

The Contemporary Touring Initiative, as part of the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, supports significant exhibitions of work by living contemporary visual artists and craft practitioners that reach and engage national audiences, and extend into regional communities. The grant provides up to three years of funding for the development and/or national touring of nationally significant contemporary visual arts and craft exhibitions.

The Leadership Program offers a dynamic suite of development opportunities for arts leaders at all career stages. The Program is made up of five components including the Arts Leaders Program, Future Leaders Program, Governance Program, Mentoring & Secondments and Scholarships & Partnerships.

Travelling scholarships from The Marten Bequest are administered by the Australia Council on behalf of Perpetual as trustee. The scholarships provide financial support under the categories acting, architecture, ballet, instrumental music, painting, poetry, prose, sculpture and singing to help talented Australian artists achieve their dreams.

One round is offered each year for these scholarships. In 2018, the grant round will close on Monday 31 January 2018 (or earlier if proposal submission limit is met) for projects starting after 30 June 2018.

Notification of scholarship proposal outcomes is in late April 2018.

Individual artists who were born in Australia and who are aged 21 - 35 (17 - 35 for ballet) at the closing date may submit proposals.

The Lady Mollie Isabelle Askin Ballet and Sir Robert William Askin Operatic Scholarships were established by a Deed of Lady Mollie Askin to further culture and advance education in Australia by providing travelling scholarships for Australian citizens with outstanding ability and promise in Ballet & Opera.

One round is offered every two years for these scholarships. In 2018, the grant round will close on:

Wednesday 31 January 2018 (or earlier if proposal submission limit is met) for projects starting after 1 July 2018.

Notification of scholarship proposal outcomes is in late April 2018.

Applications for the Lady Mollie Isabelle Askin Ballet Scholarship are open to individual artists who are Australian citizens aged 17 – 29 at the closing date.

Applications for the Sir Robert William Askin Operatic Scholarship are open to individual artists who identify as male and are Australian citizens aged 18 – 29 at the closing date.

The Strategic International Market Fund provides support for artists and arts organisations to respond to opportunities and develop networks in target international markets that directly follow on from strategic initiatives delivered by the Australia Council.

Our Collaborative Arts Projects - Organisations program funds new collaborations and partnerships between major performing arts companies (MPA) and the broader sector and community groups.

The program is intended to support and encourage a range of activities that foster meaningful long term positive outcomes for collaborative partners and focus communities, with particular emphasis on the six priority areas set out in the Australia Council’s Cultural Engagement Framework. Successful applicants will be required to provide an evaluation from the collaborative partner on the project outcomes at the conclusion of the funded activity.